Entry
ジャバジャバ
jabajaba
Jabajaba represents the loud sound of water or liquid splashing vigorously.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Jabajaba is a Japanese phonomime used to describe the loud, vigorous sound of a large amount of liquid splashing or sloshing. It often describes actions like washing things roughly in a tub or wading through deep water.
- splashing vigorously
- sloshing water
Sense Map
Vigorous Splashing
Used to describe the loud sound of water splashing forcefully.
水がジャバジャバと音を立てる。
Rough Washing
Describes the sound or action of washing things roughly with a lot of water.
洗濯物をジャバジャバ洗う。
Usage Note
How to Use
ジャバジャバ（と） + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like washing or pouring) produces a loud splashing sound.
ジャバジャバ + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ジャバジャバ洗う
to wash roughly with splashing water
ジャバジャバ流す
to let water flow and splash heavily
ジャバジャバと音を立てる
to make a loud splashing sound
水をジャバジャバ使う
to use water freely while splashing it around
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Washing items | neutral | Describes washing with a lot of water and vigorous movement, sometimes implying a rough or unrestrained approach. |
| Wading in water | neutral | Describes walking through puddles or shallows with loud, distinct splashing noises. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃぶじゃぶ じゃぶじゃぶ / similar | Use 'jabujabu' for a continuous splashing sound, often associated with wading or washing with plenty of water. | While both describe splashing, 'jabajaba' can feel slightly rougher, louder, or messier than 'jabujabu'. | 川の中をじゃぶじゃぶ歩く。 |
ざぶざぶ ざぶざぶ / similar | Use 'zabuzabu' for the sound of wading through deeper water or the powerful splashing of waves. | 'Zabuzabu' implies a larger scale of water movement or deeper water compared to 'jabajaba'. | ざぶざぶと川に入る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'jabajaba' for the light splash of a raindrop or a tiny puddle.
Use lighter onomatopoeia like 'pichapicha' or 'potsupotsu'. 'Jabajaba' implies a significant volume of water.
Using it for a quiet, gentle stream.
'Jabajaba' specifically highlights loud, vigorous, and often messy sloshing or splashing.
Examples
Examples
汚れた靴を水でジャバジャバ洗った。
よごれたくつをみずでジャバジャバあらった。
I washed the dirty shoes with splashing water.
LiteralDescribes the act of washing with a lot of water roughly.
大雨のせいで、道路に水がジャバジャバと流れている。
おおあめのせいで、どうろにみずがジャバジャバとながれている。
Due to the heavy rain, water is sloshing and flowing down the road.
VisualShows the heavy, noisy flow of water caused by the rain.
バケツの水をジャバジャバこぼしながら運んだ。
バケツのみずをジャバジャバこぼしながらはこんだ。
I carried the bucket while loudly sloshing and spilling the water.
LiteralEmphasizes the sound of water continuously spilling over.
子供が水たまりをジャバジャバ歩いて遊んでいる。
こどもがみずたまりをジャバジャバあるいてあそんでいる。
The children are playing by loudly splashing through the puddles.
LiteralDescribes the loud sound of footsteps in shallow water.
蛇口から水をジャバジャバ出して顔を洗った。
じゃぐちからみずをジャバジャバだしてかおをあらった。
I turned on the tap fully, letting the water splash out, and washed my face.
LiteralShows the unsparing use of tap water, letting it flow forcefully.
Similar Words
じゃぶじゃぶ
jabujabu
Represents the loud sound of splashing water vigorously, or the reckless and generous use of liquids or money. More commonly used for wading or standard washing with a lot of water.
ざぶざぶ
zabuzabu
ざぶざぶ describes the heavy, vigorous sound of a large amount of water splashing or sloshing. For sounds of deeper water and larger volumes.
Questions
What is the difference between jabajaba and jabujabu?
They are very similar. 'Jabajaba' can sound slightly rougher or messier, while 'jabujabu' is commonly used for wading or standard washing with plenty of water.
Can jabajaba describe a light drizzle?
No, 'jabajaba' is for large amounts of vigorously splashing water. For a light drizzle, 'shitoshito' or 'parapara' is better.
Is jabajaba written in hiragana or katakana?
It is most commonly written in katakana as ジャバジャバ to emphasize the sound, but hiragana is also acceptable.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2867284
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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